Portable boat



March w. 1-:v s. THOMPSON 2, 4

PORTABLE BOAT Filed Aug. 22, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 m-zzzazzw wa Mai-ch 7, 1939. w. E s. THOMPSON 2,149,903

" PORTABLE BOAT Filed Aug. 22, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 2 lV///////////A//////7/4 &

March 7, 1939. w E 5 THQMPISQN 2,149,903

PORTABLE BOAT 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 I IlliIin 4 Filed Aug. 22, 1934 lllllll ||l| Patented Mar. 7, 1939 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August 22,

13 Claims.

This invention relates to water craft, and more particularly has reference to a portable boat.

While portable boats have been used heretofore, they have been open to certain serious disadvantages. In the first place, they are relatively expensive and difiicult to manufacture. Furthermore, these boats have been of relatively fragile construction and have not been seaworthy in rough water. Even in tranquil water, most of these boats have had a tendency to readily capsize. This, of course, is particularly objectionable in a boat that is to be used for hunting or fishing, where it is frequently necessary for the occupant to move around within the boat.

To overcome the above disadvantages is one of the objects of my invention.

Another object of my invention is to provide a boat that is economical to manufacture and which at the same time possesses the necessary attributes for a sportmans boat.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a boat that may be so arranged as to afford additional stability when required.

A still further object of my invention is to provide additional capacity when it is desired to increase the stability.

With the above and other important objects in view, as will more fully appear hereinafter, my invention in general comprises the several elements to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that these may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I have shown in the accompanying drawings a specific embodiment of my improved boat, and a carrying rack therefor, it being distinctly understood, of course, that the specific structure may be departed from without exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

In these drawings, in which corresponding numerals refer to the same parts:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my boat, in folded arrangement.

Figure 2 is a side view of my boat, with the drop box in raised position.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the boat in operative position.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the boat arranged to give additional stability, and with the drop box in lowered position.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the drop box in lowered position.

Figure 6 is a detail view of the means for locking the foldable members in operative position.

1934, Serial No. 740,999

Figure 7 is a sectional View along the line 'I----'! of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detail view of a locking means for holding the foldable members in extended position.

Figure 9 is a sectional view along the line 9- of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a rear elevation of the carrying means for the boat.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the rack assembled upon an automobile.

Figure 12 is a sectional view along the line l2--l2 of Figure 10, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring in more detail to Figure 1, it will be observed that my boat is made up of a main body section I and two foldable sections 2 and 3. The sections 2 and 3 form in effect air tight compartments. These sections may be composed of wood, light weight metal, or any suitable composition that is sufficiently Waterproof. In this connection, and in all other connections, I do not desire to be limited to any specific type of material for the construction of my boat, or the rack therefor.

It will be observed that the body section I is provided with a suitable cockpit 4 surrounded by the usual coaming 5. A seat 6 is provided at one end of the cockpit, and the coaming extends therearound. As best shown in Figure 3, the coaming may also extend beyond the cockpit to form a raised deck 'I at the end opposite to the seat. A footrest 8 may be provided in the cockpit to afford a suitable purchase for the occupant when rowing. When in lowered position, the footrest 8 may rest upon spaced bars 9 and II, being hinged to bar II so that it may be swung to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 3 during an actual rowing operation. At other times, it may be lowered to rest upon the bar 9, at which time a vertical member H), extending from the deck to the base of the cockpit, may serve as a headrest when the boat is carried.

The foldable section 2 is pivoted to the body section I by means of hinges l2 and the foldable section 3 is pivoted to the body section by hinges I3. It will therefore be noted that the sections 2 and 3 can be folded back upon the sides of the body member. as shown in Figure 1, and in this position the boat may be readily carried by an individual. To facilitate the opening and shutting of the sections 2 and 3 While the boat is on the water, I provide handles [4 upon each of the sections 2 and 3 which may be readily gripped by the occupant. I also provide suitable 7 permit the two members to be entirely closed, so

locking means l5 to lock the sections 2 and 3 in the folded position.

The sections 2 and3 may be extended to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1. From an inspection of Figures 1 and 3 it will be observed that the seat 6 extends beyond the limits of the body section I, and the foldable sections 2 and 3 swing therebeneath.

As stated above, the main coaming extends around the seat 6, but when the boat is in assembled position I prefer to have an auxiliary coarning, designated generally l6, which extends further out over the sections 2 and 3. Specifically, the auxiliary coaming I6 is composed of side members I! and Ila which are hingedas at I8 and |8a to the end of coaming 5. By virtue of suitable locking means I9 and I9a, respectively, the members l1 and Na maybe locked in a position parallel to the sides of the coaming 5. At the end of the members I1 and Ha, opposite the looks I 9 and l9a, I provide an end member 2| to form a transverse section of the auxiliary coaming. The end member 2| is secured to the side members I1 and Na by hinges 22 and 22a. The bolts of these two members are removable, for a purpose to be described hereinafter, or the hinge 2211 may be of a permanent type, while the hinge 22 might be substituted for by an optional locking member.

The auxiliary coaming serves to make the boat more rigid and also furnishes a rest on which to stand the boat in raising and lowering it from the ground.

During movementon the'water, it is of course desirable to insure that the members 2 and 3 will be locked in the position shown by the dotted lines of Figure 1. While various locking means may be employed, I have shown one particularly advantageous type in Figures 6 and '7. This locking means is indicated generally by the numeral 23 in Figure 1, and more specifically comprises a buckle tongue 24 which is pivoted to' a frame 25 secured to the inner side of end member 2|. The tongue 24, as clearly shown in Figure '7, is pivoted at its lower end by the bolt 26, and the actual point. of pivot is eccentric.

Intermediate the pivot 26 and the free end of the tongue 24, a buckle 21 is carried by the tongue. Each of the sections 2 and 3, at the proper points along their straight edges, is provided with a hook 28 which is countersunk, as shown in Figure 6, to

that their straight sides are flush with each other. The buckle 21 is adapted to engage at the same time both'of the hooks 28, and upon raising the tongue 24 to the position shown in Figures .6 and '7, the members 2 and 3 are securely locked in closed relationship. It is of course obvious that the tongue should be mounted on the end member 2| at a point equi-distant from its ends, and that the hooks 28 are located at the points so that when the members 2 and 3 are closed, the hooks may be engaged by the buckle.

Under normal conditions, my boat possesses sufficient stability for all usual purposes.

. in which increased stability is desired, I have provided means forsecuring such stability by' How ever, in the event of rough weather, or operations frame 3| by the bolt 33. The frames 3| and tongue 32 correspond generally to frames 25 and 24 of Figures 6 and '7.

However, the buckle in this case is altered, and comprises a rod 34 which is bent as at '36, and is pivoted to the tongue 32 intermediate the length of the latter. 'A further bend 31 securely holds the rod 34 in the tongue. The lower end of the tongue forms an eye 38 which carries a freely swinging hook 39 provided with an eye 4| which.

engages the eye 38. Thefree end of the hook 39 is bent, as at 42, and is adapted to be inserted into a recess 43 in the straight sides of the sections 2 and 3. A suitable countersunk and reinforcing strip 44, preferably of metal, may be secured to the sections adjacent the recess 43. This affords'a secure lock for the hook 39.

It will of course be appreciated that the frames 3| and tongue 32 must be located outwardly from the center of the end member 2| and that the recesses 43 and plate 44 must be so positioned along the length of the sections 2 and 3 as to afford engagement with the hook 39. The'exact location of these several elements will. of course depend upon the amount of spread of thesections 2 and 3that is desired by the operator of the boat. It is obvious that a plurality of locking means 44, maybe provided in order to secure different amounts of spread.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, I have provided an auxiliary seat, designatedgenerally by the numeral 45, and which I term a drop box. This is adapted for use when the sections 2 and 3 are in a spread position, as shown in Figure 4, as it will be appreciated that the occupant can then occupy the drop box in lieu of the seat 6 or some other portion of the'main body member The drop box affords'a lower position in the water, thus better concealing the occupant and also furnishe ing protection from the wind. It also affords a more stable position when standing to shoot or fish.

This drop box comprises in general a waterproof box which may be lowered into the water intermediate the two sections 2 and 3.

Specifically, it is made up of side'members 46 and 41 and end members-48 and 49. The bottom is composed of a horizontal portion 5| and a seat indicated by the dotted line 52 in Figure 2. An upright member 52' joins thehorizontal portion 5| and seat 52. The end member 49 is preferably secured to the end member 2| of thecoaming by' inges 53, although it is of course obvious that positive locking means may be employed. I prefer hinges, because they permit the drop box to be swung up or let down, as desired. A rope 54 may be employed to retain the drop box in raised position. l

In order to afford additional support for the drop box when in lowered position, I have provided wings 55'and 56 which are hinged, as at 51 and 58, to the free ends of side members 46 and 41, respectively. The wings 55 and 58 may be taperedas shown clearly in Figure 2, and the freeends of the wings are provided with notches 59 which are adapted to receive the foldable members 2 and 3. As shown in Figures 4 and 5,, the Wings may be swung outwardly so that the notches 59 engage the two folding sections. Those parts of the wings surrounding the" notches .59 engage the upper,

7 lower and side portions of the folding sections, as

best shown in Figure 5. The drop box is thereby supported by the folding sections-as well as by the 7 end member 2|.

Obviously, when the boat is folded the auxiliary coaming would normally constitute an unnecessary impediment. However, I have provided means for reducing the extensible character of this coaming by folding the same upon the main 1 coaming 5, as best shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1. To accomplish this, I remove the bolt in hinge 22 (or if a locking means is employed in lieu thereof I unlatch it), unlatch the lock I9 and then fold the member H to the position shown by the dotted lines I! of Figure 1.

It will be noted that the hinge [8a is somewhat extended from the coaming 5 so that the member Ila can be folded over the folded member l1, upon unlatching of the lock [9a. When the member Ila is folded to the position of the dotted lines Ila, the member 2| is swung on the hinge 22a so that it forms a continuation of the side member Ila, as indicated by the dotted lines 2| of Figure 1. All this considerably reduces the area occupied by the boat when in folded position.

Oarlocks 6| may be provided, and I prefer that they have channels 62 extending through them for the reception of the handles of oars. I also provide additional oar braces 63 which, in conjunction with the channels 62, serve to securely hold the oars during a portage of the boat.

In Figures 10 through 12 I have shown a simple, but efficient, rack for carrying the boat on an automobile or other conveyance. This rack is made up of the base member 64 and crossbars E5 and 66, all of which are suitably secured to angle irons 61 and 68 forming the sides of the rack.

This rack may be quickly attached to, or removed from, an automobile by means of the fastening device I employ. As best shown in Figure 12, the base member 64 is in effect an inverted channel iron provided with an upwardly extending lip 69. The channel of the channel iron is of sufficient width so that the boat, when applied to. the rack, rests securely thereon.

Extending downwardly from the base member 64 are two uprights 'H which are adapted to rest upon the top bar of the bumper 12 on the rear of the automobile. At the inner base of each upright H, I provide a hinge 13, to which is secured an iron strap 14. Although I prefer the use of a hinge 13, it will be appreciated that under certain circumstances the hinge may be dispensed with and the strap 14 may be rigidly secured to the uprights II.

The lower end of strap 14 is provided with a hinge 15 which carries a lip 16. The lip 16 is slotted from its end as at 11 and is adapted to receive a bolt 18 which extends through the strap 14 and under the lower bar of the bumper 12. A wing nut 19 is provided to securely clamp the lip 16 against the lower bar of the bumper. The slot H permits the lip 16 to be swung on its pivot without entirely removing the wing nut from the bolt. It will be appreciated that the rack may be quickly assembled upon the bumper or removed therefrom.

The upper portion of the rack rests against straps 86 and 81 maintain the boat in this position on the rack.

The folded boat is assembled upon the rack indicated by the dotted lines in Figure It]. That portion of the seat 6 extending beyond the body member I, as well as the folded auxiliary coaming l6, project beyond channel iron 64, but it will be noted that they do not extend below the bumper. They are thereby protected from damage in the event of the roughest kind of roads, and it will be noted that most of the boat is Within the confines of the rack. As best shown in Figure 10, when the boat is assembled upon the rack, the drop box 45 may be carried inside section I of the boat.

The utility and operation of my boat is believed to be readily apparent from the foregoing. It will be appreciated that it can be readily folded to take up a minimum of space and means are provided for an easy carrying of the boat when in this condition. It will also be appreciated that the boat may be quickly assembled to a completed water craft, and may also be arranged to insure additional stability. The drop box 55 is a decided advantage when the boat is at anchor and cooperates with the extended sections 2 and 3 to aiIord additional stability and protection for the occupant.

rack which I have provided is an efficient and satisfactory means of carrying the boat on an automobile or other vehicle, and, together with the boat, may be quickly assembled upon a vehicle.

It is, of course, obvious that various modificatiens may be made in the embodiment depicted n the drawings and described in the specification. For example, the boat need not be pointed at both, or either, end, and various details may be omitted or altered, such as the drop box, auxiliary coaming, and numerous other features. However, with respect to all additions, omissions and modifications, I wish it to be distinctly understood that I am to be limited solely by the scope of the prior art and by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A boat comprising a body composed of a rigid non-collapsible portion and two segments, said segments being foldable upon the non-collapsible portion, a coaming on the non-collapsible portion and an auxiliary coaming extending over the foldable segments when the latter are extended, and means on the auxiliary coaming for locking the foldable segments in extended or semi-extended position.

2. A boat as specified in claim 1, in which the auxiliary coaming may be collapsed.

3. A boat such as specified in claim Land provided with a compartment adapted to be lowered from the auxiliary coaming into the water between the hinged segments when in a spread position.

4. A boat such as specified in claim 1, in which the compartment is hinged to the auxiliary coammg.

5. A boat having a body composed of an integral portion and two segmental portions hingedly secured thereto and adapted to be swung apart laterally to form a relatively non-capsizable boat,

an auxiliary water-tight compartment adapted to be lowered into position between said two sections, and means for securing said auxiliary compartment and said segmental portions in fixed relation to each other.

6. A boat comprising a body composed of a rigid non-collapsible portion and two segments, 75

ing the foldable segments in spread-apart position, an auxiliary compartment adapted to be lowered between said segments and provided with hinged wings adapted to'engage said segments and to holdsaid segments and said compartment in fixed relation to each other. 7

'7. A boat comprising a body of a rigid non-collapsible stern portion and two float members, said float members being hinged to opposite sides of the front portion of the rigid non-collapsible portion and adapted to be swung together in the same plane as the rigid'noncollapsible portion of the boat to form a bow portion of said boat.

8. A boat comprising a body composed of rigid non-collapsible stern portion and two float members said float members being hinged to opposite sides of the front portion of the rigid noncollapsible portion and adapted to be swung together in the same plane as the rigid portion of the boat 'to form a bow portion of said boat, and means gral stern portion and two float members, Said float members being hinged to opposite sides of to form a bow portion of said boat, and means for locking the float members in said bow position. v 12. A boat comprising a body having an integral stern portion and two float members, said float members being hinged to opposite sides of the front end of the integral portion and foldable uponopposite sides'of the said integral portion andiadapted to be swung apart laterally to form a relatively noncollapsible boat, and means for locking the float members in spread apart position.

13. A boat comprising a body having an integral stern portion and two float members; said float members being hinged to opposite sides of the front end of the integral portion and foldable upon opposite sides of the said integral portion, the float members being adapted to be swung apart laterally to form a relatively non-capsizable boat, and an auxiliary compartment adapted to be lowered between the float members and provided with hinged wings adapted to engage the float members and to hold said float members and the compartment in fixed relation to each other.

WILL E. S. THOMPSON. 

